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Helen Hollick

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When The Mermaid Sings: A Jesamiah Acorne Short Read Nautical Adventure Kindle Edition

by Helen Hollick (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.6 38 ratings

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* BOOK of the YEAR Coffee Pot Book Club BRONZE AWARD WINNER 2022
* B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree
* CHILL WITH A BOOK Book of the Month

A prequel short read story to the Sea Witch Voyages of Captain Jesamiah Acorne

When the only choice is to run, where do you run to?
When the only sound is the song of the sea, do you listen?
Or do you drown in the embrace of a mermaid?

Throughout childhood, Jesamiah Mereno has suffered the bullying of his elder half-brother. Then, not quite fifteen years old, and on the day they bury their father, Jesamiah hits back. In consequence, he flees his Virginia home, changes his name to Jesamiah Acorne, and joins the crew of his father’s seafaring friend, Captain Malachias Taylor, aboard the privateer, Mermaid.

He makes enemies, sees the ghost of his father, wonders who is the Cornish girl he hears in his mind – and tries to avoid the beguiling lure of a sensuous mermaid...

An early coming-of-age tale of the young Jesamiah Acorne, set in the years before he becomes a pirate and Captain of the Sea Witch.

“Ms Hollick has skilfully picked up the threads that she alludes to in the main books and knitted them together to create a Jesamiah that we really didn't know.” Richard Tearle senior reviewer, Discovering Diamonds

“Captain Jesamiah Acorne is as charming a scoundrel as a fictional pirate should be. A resourceful competitor to Captain Jack Sparrow!” Antoine Vanner author

“Helen Hollick has given us the answer to that intriguing question that Jesamiah fans have been aching for – how did he start his sea-going career as a pirate?” Alison Morton, author

“I really enjoyed the insight offered into Jesamiah's backstory, and found the depiction of our teenage hero very moving.” Anna Belfrage, author

“I loved this little addendum to the Jesamiah series. I always had a soft spot for the Lorelei stories and enjoyed that the author cleverly brought her over from the Rhine valley to fit into the story.” Amazon Reviewer

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0968RQ6FS
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Taw River Press; 2nd edition (June 21, 2021)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 21, 2021
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 3783 KB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 169 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #2,165,492 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #2,282 in Sea Adventures Fiction (Kindle Store)
- #3,561 in Sea Adventures Fiction (Books)
- #8,447 in Historical Fantasy (Kindle Store)

Customer Reviews:
4.6 38 ratings

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Helen Hollick

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Hello, welcome to my Amazon Author Page. I am Helen Hollick a USA Today bestselling author. My website is https://helenhollick.net/ where you will find my latest news and how to subscribe to my newsletter. Thank you so much if you were kind enough to click the 'follow' button above. Your support is very much appreciated.

Please do consider leaving a review or comment for any or all of my books.

About me and my books:

I moved from London to Devon in January 2013 (in the snow!) to live in an18th Century farmhouse with thirteen acres of land. I live with my husband, adult daughter and son-in-law, several pets (dogs, cats, hens, geese, four horses, three Exmoor ponies, two pigs) and a few friendly ghosts.

I write historical fiction, getting to the nuts and bolts of the 'what might have really happened' story of King Arthur in my PENDRAGON'S BANNER Trilogy. There is no Merlin, no Lancelot, knights in armour, round table or holy grail - just the story of a warlord who has to fight hard for his kingdom and even harder to keep it.

Book One - The KINGMAKING

Book Two - PENDRAGON'S BANNER

Book Three - SHADOW OF THE KING

(these are also published in German)

'Helen Hollick has it all! She tells a great story, gets her history right and writes consistently readable books!' (Bernard Cornwell)

My Saxon Series - HAROLD THE KING (I AM THE CHOSEN KING is the US title) and its prequel, A HOLLOW CROWN (The FOREVER QUEEN is the US title) tells the story of the twilight years of Anglo-Saxon England immediately before the Norman Conquest. Stripping the Norman propaganda from what we think we know of that most famous date in English history - 1066 and the Battle of Hastings - my novels portray all the honour and dignity that history remembers of its fallen heroes and heroines.

With eight other inspiring authors, I am a co-author of 1066 TURNED UPSIDE DOWN, a selection of 'what if alternative' stories about the year 1066.

I also contributed a short story about the pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read to a free anthology with the theme of BETRAYAL.

To balance the 'serious' books I have my SEA WITCH VOYAGES: pirate-based adventure fantasy. The Voyages are a blend of Sharpe, Hornblower and Indiana Jones all stowed in the one boat.

Voyage One - SEA WITCH

Voyage Two - PIRATE CODE

Voyage Three - BRING IT CLOSE

Voyage Four - RIPPLES IN THE SAND

Voyage Five - ON THE ACCOUNT

Voyage Six - GALLOWS WAKE

And a novella short read: WHEN THE MERMAID SINGS - how Jesamiah Acorne became a pirate.

This title has received a BRONZE AWARD for the Coffee Pot Book Club Book of the Year Award 2022

Several of my books have been awarded the B.R.A.G Medallion and CHILL WITH A BOOK awards.

"In the sexiest pirate contest, Captain Jesamiah Acorne gives Jack Sparrow a run for his money" (Sharon Penman)

If you liked the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' movies and enjoy a good sailor's yarn, then in the words of author Elizabeth Chadwick "You'll love this to pieces of eight".

My latest venture is branching out into the 'cosy mystery' genre with my library assistant 'Jan Christopher Mysteries' series set in the 1970s. The first two being A MIRROR MURDER and A MYSTERY OF MURDER with episode 3 A MISTAKE OF MURDER scheduled for spring 2023.

I have two NON-FICTION books: PIRATES TRUTH and TALES, a lighthearted look at the truth and the tales about pirates, published by Amberley Press, and SMUGGLERS IN FACT and FICTION - again exactly what the title says!

***

I run several blogs, including one for our village of Chittlehamholt and my own 'Let Us Talk of Many Things'. https://ofhistoryandkings.blogspot.com/

I am a member of the Society of Authors, The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) and the Crime Writers Association (CWA)

I enjoy hearing from readers. You can contact me via my website

( or email me on: author AT helenhollick DOT net )

'Lege Feliciter' (read happily)

Helen

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Inge H. Borg

A Reader’s Pure Joy

Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2017

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Having read and truly enjoyed Helen Hollick’s “Sea Witch Voyages,” I was happy to find out more about that charming rascal, Jesamiah Acorne. Was I ever surprised to read where this seemingly English lad had spent his miserable young years [and, no, I am not going to ruin this great story by telling you].
With trepidation, we follow the fifteen-year old’s escape to sea. If his life on land had been miserable and hard, in 1708 life at sea proves even harder. Young Jesamiah soon learns about the drink, the stink and the whoring. He discovers that his volatile captain and the salt-hardened crew are attacking French and Spanish merchant ships throughout the Caribbean. Any smidgen of conscience is eased by Queen Anne’s “Letter of Marque,” giving them royal leave to plunder as it declares them to be honorable privateers in her war against Spain and her allies; when truth be told, their lust for plunder soon turns them into murdering pirates.
Jesamiah, the ship’s boy, grows into Jesamiah, the man (ahem, Pirate). There is foreboding of an intriguing Cornish girl, Tiola, appearing in his dreams. In the later Sea Witch novels, it is she who becomes the rival to Jesamiah’s great love, the sea. And, of course, there is the Mermaid, who tries to lure young Jesamiah into her watery realm with her sweet siren song.
This short prequel to “The Sea Witch Voyages” was made doubly enjoyable for me by the author’s usage of language; spot-on for the time. (And I don’t mean salty language although - leave it to this hat-wearing lady – she can swear like any rum-soaked pirate when the occasion calls for it.) The interwoven descriptions of snapping topgallants, slick ratlines, and belaying-pins and other nautical terms correctly fit those complex old sailing ships on which one false step meant certain death.
“When the Mermaid Sings” is a Reader’s pure joy.
Inge H. Borg
Author of the “Legends of The Winged Scarab” Series

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Fred Fanning

An Excellent Book

Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2022

When the Mermaid Sings is a great pirate story with all the correct characters. I liked this story and can't wait to read more. The author understands the world of pirates. And for that, I am thankful. I liked the story of the Mermaid she used.

Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2022

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"History does not always fit neatly into fiction" writes author Helen Hollick in the Author's Notes; instead, she seamlessly blends history with her fantastical tale in this page-turning account of young Jesamiah Acorne as he turns from a boy into a man onboard a privateer ship. Likable characters and plenty of adventure.

Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2021

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When the sea first calls to Jesamiah, the young man realizes there are many mysteries yet to be unfolded.
But knowledge, seamanship and a right of passage soon confront the young seaman as he steers his way through life's turbulent waters on a course charted to captaincy.
A satisfying, quick and easy read.
Recommended.

Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2020

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I had previously read the four previously published novels in the Jesamiah Acorne series of books. (There is a fifth book that has not been published/released in America yet. I am eagerly awaiting that book!)

Anyone who loves pirates, privateers, and sailing adventures, When the Mermaid Sings, would be an outstanding introduction to Jesamiah Acorne series of books. A truly fantastic read!

Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2017

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Jesamiah Acorne is one of those fictional characters that grows on you, and in the previous books he's dashing, self-assured and quite the charming rascal. Here we see a different Jesamiah, a vulnerable boy forced to confront the world all on his own. I really enjoyed the insight offered into Jesamiah's backstory, and found the depiction of our teenage hero very moving.

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JB Johnston

Wonderful Adventures!

Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2017

Jesamiah is all alone in the world after the death of both his mother and father. Alone apart from an abusive half brother and a voice inside his head. After a fight with his brother, Jesamiah decides to make his own way in the world and sets off in search of adventure on the high seas. Starting off as a young innocent boy he soon becomes part of the sea-faring life among pirates and privateers and very quickly becomes a man, shaped by his adventures and experiences. An old head on young shoulders he is desperate to shake off the experiences and stories of his father who was well respected among sailors and pirates alike. Jesamiah is his own person and doesn't want to be known simply as his father's son. Finding himself in many perilous situations, Jesamiah is haunted by voices inside his head, guiding him and warning him of danger. One voice in particular, that of a young girl is determined to keep him from harms way.

What an amazing treat of a book this is! While I was reading it, Pirates of the Caribbean was on the television so I was completely immersed in the time period of the 17th and 18th century. This book was a real feast for the imagination. Packed full of adventure and peril the reader can see how Jesamiah is destined to become a great man of the seas. Not having read any of the Sea Witch books before didn't make a bit of difference to my enjoyment of this amazing story. I actually think it was an advantage as its given me a real thirst to find out what happens next as this book is a prequel to the series. Fans of the series will of course love this book too as it answers the questions as to how Jesamiah became a pirate.

I loved the amazing attention to detail throughout the book. Helen Hollick has created a wonderfully exciting yet harsh world full of excellent and interesting characters who all add such a wonderful mix of personalities and detail to the book. The language is rich and powerful with just the right amount of magic and supernatural. This is a novella so a fantastic quick if you need a fix of swashbuckling adventure full of myths and legends and creatures of the Deep!! Highly recommended.

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cb

Jesamiah wins again

Reviewed in Canada on September 29, 2017

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For fans of Helen Hollick’s Jesamiah Acorne, When the Mermaid Sings is the perfect fix while we wait for the next Sea Witch voyage. This novella takes us back to how Jesamiah first became a pirate. Even though readers would have known some of the broad strokes from the Sea Witch series, the narrative moves into fresh waters. I love how Jesamiah started shaping in front of our eyes, from a gangly youth kicked out from his home from a vengeful half-brother into the clever, cool-headed pirate we all love. Usually novellas are hindered by their short format and don’t allow for sufficient character development, but When the Mermaid Sings does not suffer from that. Helen Hollick even gives us that touch of the mystical we’ve grown to expect from a Jesamiah Acorne story. When the Mermaid Sings is a welcome addition to the chronicles of Jesamiah and will be guaranteed to delight all his followers.

Whitey

Great Read!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 14, 2017

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I've read all of Helen's 'history' novels, but I've not read any of her Sea Witch pirate adventures. This little novella seemed to be the ideal starting point, as it's a prequel to those novels. I didn't feel disadvantaged at not having read the novels, as I feel this works very well as a stand-alone story - the characters all come instantly alive, so I didn't feel that I didn't 'know' them, and it's a great introduction to the character of Jesemiah Acorne and how he becomes a pirate. I won't give away the plot details here, but I will say that it is a story packed full of adventure and fast-paced action. At the same time though, it is beautifully atmospheric. With light touches, rather than heavy-handed 'plonking' of research, Ms Hollick really lets you feel that you are on the ship on the high seas, or listening to the bustle of the town. This subtle placing of her knowledge is particularly effective when she has a character talking about the after-effects of an earthquake/tsunami. This really happened, but here what we learn is how people coped afterwards. A character mentions it in the course of talking about something else and it felt so real, and natural. Whatever tools Ms Hollick employs when writing, a shoe-horn is definitely not one of them! This is a must-read for those who are familiar with Jesemiah, and those, like myself, who have just met him for the first time. Enjoy!

One person found this helpful

Elizabeth Gayle Fellows

When the Mermaid Sings

Reviewed in Canada on December 2, 2017

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Very delightful interesting story. Excitement on every page. The world in the 1700’s was a volatile place, makes you understand why it was possible for sea creatures to exist in people’s minds!

Julie Malone

Another Beautifully Written Story by Helen Hollick - Loved It!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 5, 2018

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Having read all the books in the Jesamiah Acorne series so far and thoroughly enjoyed them, Ms Hollick has now given us her young hero's background and we now know more about to how this charismatic young man became a pirate. As with the other books in this series I couldn't turn my kindle off until I finished this spellbinding and page-turning story. Ms Hollick's writing draws her reader in to her well-researched but imaginative stories and never fails to hold your interest. Her characters are beautifully written and well rounded and, as with her previous books in this series, the reader can feel the sea spray in their face, smell the salt air, hear the creaking of the timbers, the flapping of the sails and feel the movement of the ship as it rises and falls cresting the waves. I look forward eagerly to the launch of the next in the series.
If you haven't read them yet, I would thoroughly recommend this and other books by Ms Hollick who is an outstanding writer and incomparable storyteller.

One person found this helpful

Alison Morton

So now we know the answer...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 3, 2017

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Helen Hollick has given us the answer to that intriguing question that Jesamiah fans have been aching for – how did he start his sea-going career as a pirate? Well, here it is and Ms Hollick writes Jesamiah’s early story in her usual roistering, pacy style and with an added dash of the supernatural.
The research is obvious; this author knows her history, vocabulary and sailing ships.
But this touching story not just for the fans; it’s an excellent introduction to the whole series.

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When The Mermaid Sings: A Jesamiah Acorne Short Read Nautical Adventure Kindle Edition

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